At just 42 years old, Laurence Pavone was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.
This set him on a path to give back, make a difference and leave a lasting legacy for his young family in the form of a charity called Laurie’s Love.
In 2019, 10 months on from his diagnosis, Laurence sadly passed away, but Laurie’s Love forged ahead in his absence, continuing his legacy of love, compassion and community spirit.
The much-loved local charity is due to host its biggest event yet next weekend, the Laurie’s Love Gala Ball, and Laurence’s wife Julie is planning a huge celebration to thank the Burdekin community for its support.
Cover Caption: Julie and Laurence Pavone with their three children Claudia, Mason and Layla. Photo supplied
Laurence Pavone made an indelible impact on the Burdekin community.
When he was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive, inoperable brain tumour, in December 2018, it inspired him to help others and leave a legacy, founding Laurie’s Love in the hope of not only raising funds for brain cancer research, but also bringing his community together.
“During his pain and anguish and facing certain death, all he could think about was helping someone else so that they don’t have to go through this,” said Laurence’s wife Julie.
“He never once felt sorry for himself.”
Upon launching Laurie’s Love on his birthday in April 2019, Laurence was met with the utmost support and compassion from the Burdekin community.
He gave the foundation a motto that he said encapsulated the love he had received after people heard about his diagnosis: ‘The infinite love is the cure’.
Friends and community members held fundraisers at every opportunity, from sausage sizzles and car washes down the main street to the launch of major events Row for a Cure and the first Gala Ball, both held in the months after Laurence passed away in October 2019.
“Laurence was very community minded and was involved in a lot,” Julie said.
“Given his age, his personality and just who he was, so many people empathised with the situation.
“We were overwhelmed with the support and still are five years on.”
These days, the Laurie’s Love heart logo can be spotted on bumper stickers, shirts and wristbands all across the region.
The foundation’s message has spread into local schools after the annual ‘Day for Laurie’ was launched, held in August each year, where school students are asked to wear red and black or a Laurie’s Love shirt.
“It’s not about Laurence anymore, it’s about the message of giving back to the community, doing something for other people, and the kids and the schools have really taken that on board,” Julie said.
“It’s really teaching the next generation how to be good members of a community and what you can do to make your community a better place.”
After three massive Row for a Cure events, Laurie’s Love is hosting it’s first Gala Ball since 2019 on Saturday, March 9, with tickets very quickly selling out.
The foundation has partnered with the Brain Cancer Centre for the event, with all funds raised to fund a researcher to work on brain cancer research under the Laurence Pavone Post Doctoral Fellowship.
Television personality and brain cancer advocate Carrie Bickmore will speak at the event, sharing her journey and instilling hope in a community that has been affected by this disease too many times.
“Laurence is still bringing the community together through these events, even though he’s not here, so it makes me very proud to be a part of it and be the face of what he started,” Julie said.
“I think he would be blown away but at the same time, I don’t think he’d be surprised at what this town is capable of.
“He’d be very, very proud of our community and I think he’s left a massive legacy on this town.
“He’s passed on the love, and that was his biggest thing.”
To find out more, visit www.laurieslove.org.au.
Caption 1: Laurence and Julie Pavone. Photo supplied
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